Collapsible crucifix



Feb. 19, 1957 F. J. cuRRAN 2,781,596

COLLAPSIBLE CRUCIF'IX Filed June .9, 1955 COLLAPSIBLE CRUCIFIX Frank J. Curran, Downers Grove, Ill. Application June 9, 1955, Serial No. 514,224

1 Claim. (Cl. 41-10) The present invention relates generally to a collapsible or foldable crossin which the horizontal arms thereof may be folded or collapsed so that the same may be inserted in a narrow container or tubular member, thereby occupying a minimum amount of space.

A further object of the invention is to' provide a novel and improved collapsible crucix or cross which is adapted for attachment to a rosary or chain so that the same may be folded in compact form and inserted in a restricted container or tube and at the same time, when it is released or removed from the container, the horizontal arms will automatically assume their normal position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved folding cross in which the horizontal arms of the cross are simultaneously spring actuated to assume their normal horizontal position with respect to the vertical standard of the cross.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and arrangement of the Various parts in the manner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved cross;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the cross showing essentially the operating parts or arms in extended or horizontal position;

Fig. 3 is a similar enlarged view partly in cross-section showing the arms in collapsed or folded position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the lines 4 4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the cross; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 6 6 in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In carrying out my invention, I have shown the same as comprising a normally vertically disposed frame member 10 of rectangular cross-section and two oppositely disposed normally horizontally extending arms 11 pivoted to the main frame 10. The arms 11 are rectangular in cross-section similar to that of the main frame member 10 and are pivoted on pins as shown at 12. The upper portion of the main frame member 10 has a centrally located slot 13 which extends from the point 13 below the arms 11 to the upper end of the member 10. This slot 13 forms in eifect a front and rear spaced apart portions 14 and 15. These portions 14 and 15 project laterally at an intermediate point in the member 10 and are curved outwardly as shown at 16, then tapered inwardly and upwardly as shown at 17 to the side portions of the frame member 10. The inner end of the arms 11 are provided with centrally located reduced portions 18 so that they may be freely inserted in the recess 13 of the main frame member 10. Formed integrally with the reduced portions 18 are disk-like or arcuate portions 19 through which the pivot pins 12 project in pivoting the arms 11 to the main frame member 10. The reduced .United States Patent O portions 1S of the cross arms 11 terminate in angularly 70 disposed walls or stops 20 which are adapted to engage the -tapered portions 17 of the member 10 when the arms 2,781,596 Patented Feb. 19, 1957 Mice are extended to their horizontal positions as shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings. The arcuate portions 19 are provided with rectangular recesses 21 forming pointed portions 22. The pointed portions 22 of the arms 11 are adapted to be engaged by a washer 23 which, in turn, is secured to the upper end of a rod 24 by having an enlarged head 25 formed on the upper end thereof. The rod projects through a central aperture 26 in the member 10 and a relatively large aperture 27 extending longitudinally of the main frame member 10 and extending from a point 28 throughout the lower end of the main frame member 10. Mounted on the rod 24 is a compression spring 29. The spring 29 is retained on the rod 24 by a washer 30. The washer is retained on the rod by upsetting a head on the lower end of the rod as shown at 31. The upper portion of the cross is provided with an eyelet 32 which is of relatively flat construction adapted to be seated and secured in the recess 13 between the opposite frame members 14 and 15 of the member 10.

From the above description it will be readily seen that when it is desired to collapse the cross, the arms 11 are depressed from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings by merely pressing one or both arms 11 downwardly about their pivots 12, thus actuating the points 22 of the opposite arms 11 upwardly against the washer 23 to thereby compress the spring 29. When the arms are released, the spring will normally or automatically actuate the arms to their horizontal position or the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

From the above description it will be readily seen that I have provided a very simple consrtuction of collapsible cross or crucix in which the arms may be easily depressed or collapsed so that the same may be inserted in a tube or other container for occupying a minimum amount of space so that the collapsed crucifix or cross as well as the rosary may be inserted or carried in a compact container. It will also be noted that upon removal of thev cross from the container, the arms will be automatically and simultaneously actuated outwardly by the spring to assume their normal position.

While in the above specification I have described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will, of course, be understood that the same is capable of modification and that modification may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A folding cross comprising a normally upright member having a transverse slot located intermediate its ends, arms normally projecting from the opposite sides of said member, substantially semi-circular portions formed on the inner ends of said arms and extending into Opposite sides of the slot, pins extending through the axial centers of the semi-circular portions of said arms and said member for pivoting said arms to said member, there being off-set recesses in the semi-circular portions of said arms forming pointed projections on the peripheries of said semi-circular portions, there being a longitudinal bore in said member extending into said transverse slot, a rod mounted in said bore, a washer secured to the upper end of said rod and having opposite portions extending into said recesses for engaging said semi-circular portions, and a spring mounted on said rod for actuating said rod to move said arms to extended position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

